LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
CHMN 699
Internship
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Personal Development Plan
Personal growth and self-development are two integral parts of the life of a modern
person. In order to succeed in today’s hectic and ever-changing environment, each
individual has to overcome challenges and achieve new accomplishments constantly.
According to Pirilä, personal development comprises multiple aspects, such as “growth as a
conscious human being, activities that improve self-knowledge and identity, development of
talents and potential, … building of human capital and employability, enhancing the quality
of life” and many others.
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In other words, this term is not limited to self-development but
covers a wide range of activities, methods, tools, techniques, and approaches to support
human development and promote a happy and fulfilled life for everyone. Spirituality and
faith play an essential role in defining one's perspectives and connection to the world, as
well as future goals and aspirations. As a Christian, I believe that a personal development
plan allows every individual to improve their personal skills while also supporting others
and contributing to the world. The purpose of this paper is to present my personal
development plan focusing on the areas of spiritual disciplines, personal finances, and
continuing education.
Coming from a christian family, I think of myself as a spiritual person. Religion has
been an important part of my life since my early years. As a result, spirituality is one of the
cornerstone values that guide me in my experiences and aspirations. Furthermore, coaching
and reading help me in identifying the main objectives and the plan for my future growth.
In particular, I learned to be more open to diverse ideas and opinions since there is always
something new to explore and expand my horizons. Researching on various subjects with
regard to personal development allows me to find techniques and methods to implement in
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. Hannu Pirilä, The Little Book of Personal Development, Success and Happiness
(Norderstedt: Books on Demand, 2020) 12.
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my own life to feel fulfilled and grateful. Spiritual approach and coaching help me find
purpose and focus on becoming the best version of myself.
The connection to God is essential for me to improve my quality of life and realize
my aspirations. The Scripture teaches us the role of the Father, who acts as the soil
providing nutrients to the tree. This idea is supported by the following statements made by
Jesus Christ: “I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous
because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me” (John 15:2). It
promotes the principle of relation to the Almighty since it is critical for every Christian to
be connected to the Father. Growth is an integral part of this connection as it derives from
the creating purposes of God.
Areas Of Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines are essential to incorporate in my personal development plan as
they promote self-growth and are prescribed for every believer. The Scripture mentions
various examples of activities one can practice to experience God and grow. In particular,
Biblical study, prayer, worship, meditation, fasting, confession, fellowship, stewardship,
and service are the spiritual disciplines mentioned in the Bible. In this regard, I have
incorporated some of them in my personal development plan to stay disciplined and benefit
from the mindless approach.
Biblical Study
I consider the study of God’s word one of the crucial spiritual disciplines to
incorporate in my personal development plan. The Bible prescribes it as an integral way of
understanding the Lord and his purposes and intentions with humanity. During one of my
previous assignments, I spent a while studying the Scripture to explore God’s doctrine
through his wrath and love. It is worth noting that while the Bible leaves many matters up
to one’s interpretation, which implies that studying and rediscovering it can improve my
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understanding of God and his will.
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The most important theological concepts are rooted in
God’s word, which is partially embodied in Jesus. He knew the Scripture and could quote it
from memory (Luke 4:1-13). As can be seen, it is critical to read the Bible and incorporate
it into the Christian routine. I included this spiritual discipline in my personal development
plan because I believe it can help me to inform other activities aiming to improve my
personal growth and connection to God. The essential aspect about it is remaining
consistent, sticking to the routine, and being mindful in order to grow spiritually.
Prayer
Prayer is another spiritual discipline that I find necessary to include in my plan. It is
a practice that allows believers to speak to God and be heard. Similarly, Jesus can be
viewed as the role model in terms of prayer as he warned people against hypocrisy and
arrogance while talking to the Lord (Matt. 6:5-6). Having faith is critical for effective
prayer, and God acts as a loving father presenting gifts to his asking children if this practice
is implemented in a proper way. Being devotional is a useful habit that can transform a
person through spirituality. Praying humbly is one of the ways to receive God’s answers
and improve one’s life. While there is a public prayer, Jesus frequently avoided the crowds
and sought silence and solitude to focus on his talk to the Father (Matt. 14:23). I
incorporated this spiritual discipline in my personal development plan as an effective means
of clearing my mind, practicing gratitude, and finding consolation and peace throughout my
daily routine.
Meditation
Meditation is another spiritual discipline that is typically viewed as a relatively
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. Richard Blackaby and Bob Royall, Spiritual Leadership Coaching: Connecting
People to God's Heart and Purposes (Jonesboro, GA: Blackaby Ministries International,
2018) 15.
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modern practice. At the same time, Christians can improve their spiritual level by
meditating on the Scripture and practicing mindfulness. Such activity can bring joy,
blessing, and spiritual growth.
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In addition to reading the Bible, it is essential to meditate on
it in a meaningful way to keep the Lord’s will and purposes in mind. Aligning one’s life
and activities with God’s task is one of the responsibilities of every Christian. This fact
explains why I integrated spiritual practice into my regular routine. In other words,
meditating refers to active thinking and pursuing insight. In this regard, studying God’s
word is helpful as it provides a foundation for a better understanding of his will and, thus,
focusing on serving it. Other positive effects of meditation include a feeling of love and
peace which follow the connection to the higher power, the Lord.
Personal Finances
In addition to mindful practices, the subject of personal finances can be viewed from
a spiritual perspective. In particular, when planning for my self-growth, I identified the
following questions to ask myself and guide my future development:
Am I living in accordance with my means?
Am I spending wisely and saving for the future?
Am I giving back and support others to worship God and his blessings?
In my view, these questions are essential to be answered in order to practice a
mindful and grateful approach to personal finance management. As stated by Berry, this
tactic can contribute to “a lifestyle of greater financial wellness, mindful spending, and a
sense of faith in … financial life” resulting from a spiritual approach.
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I believe that it is
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. Simon L. Dolan, The Secret of Coaching and Leading by Values: How to Ensure
Alignment and Proper Realignment (Abingdon: Routledge, 2020) 38.
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. Sadahri Berry, For the Love of Money: Navigating Personal Finances with
Stewardship and Faith (Portland, OR: BookBaby, 2020) 5.
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essential to know how to manage money effectively, and the book by Berry provided me
with tools and techniques to connect faith and personal finance.
Continuing Education
Education is another subject that I accounted for in my personal development plan
since it is a life-long experience and a prerequisite for growth. I must say that my path of
obtaining education has taught me numerous skills, among which communication,
responsibility, problem-solving, creative thinking, tolerance, and giving back to the
community. I decided to obtain a Master of Divinity and Theology degree in order to
improve my understanding of faith and religion. The academic field provides me with an
opportunity to learn more about various perspectives on Christian doctrines. In particular,
during research, I read materials written by both religious and non-religious authors, which
allows me to form an independent opinion on different aspects of faith-related subjects. As
part of my personal development plan, I intend to continue with my studies and pursue a
Ph.D. degree in Theology to become a qualified theologian.
To summarize, my personal development plan is centered around the idea of self-
growth and spirituality incorporated in daily practice and future objectives. In particular, I
identified the study of God's word, prayer, and meditation as spiritual disciplines to employ
and researched on personal finance management techniques to implement in my life.
Relevant literature, the Scripture, and individual coaching have helped me in developing the
plan by providing me with the necessary knowledge and methods to grow as a Christian.
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Bibliography
Berry, Sadahri. For the Love of Money: Navigating Personal Finances with Stewardship
and Faith. Portland: BookBaby, 2020.
Blackaby, Richard, and Bob Royall. Spiritual Leadership Coaching: Connecting People to
God's Heart and Purposes. Jonesboro: Blackaby Ministries International, 2018.
Dolan, Simon L. The Secret of Coaching and Leading by Values: How to Ensure Alignment
and Proper Realignment. Abingdon: Routledge, 2020.
Pirilä, Hannu. The Little Book of Personal Development, Success and Happiness.
Norderstedt: Books on Demand, 2020.
